(Note from Scott... Dish was forced to drop about 10 Young Broadcast stations from its lineup tonight, the press release below is just for one of the 10 removed, however instead of posting each press release for each station I will just post it once.
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YOUNG BROADCASTING, INC. FORCES DISH NETWORK® TO REMOVE ITS
ALBANY, N.Y. ABC CHANNEL FROM ITS LINEUP
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Dec. 11, 2008 – DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) today announced that it has been forced to remove WTEN (ABC) Ch. 10 from its programming lineup in Albany, N.Y.
Young Broadcasting, Inc. is demanding unreasonable contract terms and an excessive rate increase for continued carriage on DISH Network – an increase that DISH Network is unwilling to pass on to customers. To protect customers from unreasonable rate increases and to ensure they pay only a fair amount every month, DISH Network draws the line at such excess and challenges strong-arm tactics. In the last few years, DISH Network has negotiated for retransmission consent with nearly 1,000 other local TV stations and has reached a fair agreement with all of them.
“It is unfortunate that Young Broadcasting has forced us into this situation and caused this disruption to our customers,” said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. “Our goal is to remain the best value for our customers and in order to do this, we need fair contracts with competitive pricing for the channels our customers want to watch. This is why we refuse to accept Young Broadcasting’s unreasonable terms.”
DISH Network’s contract with Young Broadcasting expired on Dec. 10, 2008. The absence of a contract means that DISH Network is no longer able to provide WTEN to its subscribers.
As programming fees comprise a significant percentage of DISH Network’s expenses, Young Broadcasting’s demands would translate into a significant cost increase that DISH Network would have to pass along to its customers in the form of higher monthly bills.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience this disruption may cause any of our subscribers,” Sahl added. “Subscribers should rest assured that we continue to take the necessary steps to ensure that DISH Network remains the source for the best quality TV at the best total value.”
DISH Network encourages subscribers to visit
Fair Satellite for more information.